John O'May (1867 - 1939)

Born 29 Aug 1867 in Queensland, Australia

Husband of Emily Louisa (Syms) O'May — married 4 Sep 1889 in Queensland, Australia

Husband of Elizabeth (McFarlane) O'May — married 19 Mar 1902 in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia

Died 9 Aug 1939 at age 71 in Surfers Paradise, Queensland, Australia

Biography

John was born in 1867. ^[1]

He married Emily Louisa Syms in 1889. ^[2]

John married Elizabeth McFarlane in 1902. ^[3]

John served in the A.I.F during WW1. He enlisted on 28th Oct 1915. He was 48 years old and was a Cab proprietor and cab driver prior to his enlistment.

He passed away in 1939. ^[4]

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133657929 South Coast Bulletin (Southport, Qld. : 1929 - 1954), Friday 11 August 1939, page 12

MR JOHN O'MAY

Mr John O'May, 71, of Surfers Paradise, who died suddenly Wednesday morning, was born at Kaimbillenbar station (now called Lyndley station) in the Bell district. He moved to Toowoomba in 1901 and lived there until he came to Surfers Paradise in 19,19. He was the first president of the East Southport and Surfers Paradise Progress Association ' and also the first chairman of the Surfers Paradise State School Committee. , Mr O'May was a member of the Masonic and Oddfellows Lodges and was- president of the Toowoomba Caledonian Society. He served in the A.I.F. Mr O'May who was twice married is survived by five sons, Messrs J. S. (Mackay), J. A. (Cooparoo), R. W. (Toowoomba), Les and Lawrence (Surfers Paradise), four daughters, Mesdames J., T. Byrnes (Tamworth), G. Brindell and A. Lennon (Surfers Paradise) and H. Watt (Labrador), 16 grand children and one great grand child. An older brother Mr Robert O'May lives at Woodlaun, Bell district. Sympathetic reference was made to the passing of Mr O'May at the council meeting on Wedneday afternoon when Aid A. R. Andrews moved that a letter of sympathy be sent to the bereaved family. Mr O'May, he said, was one of the pioneers of Surfers Paradise coming there about 20 years ago when he erected one of first buildings.

Ald Panitz seconded the motion and said that the news of the death of Mr O'May had come as a shock to him as, he had been speaking to him the previous evening and Mr O'May had made arrangements to spend next week at the Royal National .Show. Ald Brown endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers. and said that Mr O May was a Returned Soldier and he had met him when he arrived from Toowoomba when he, Aid Brown was the secretary of the Repatriation Committee. He had always found h'm to be a very honourable and straightforward man.The The Mayor said that he had known Mr O'May for many years. He was a highly respected citizen , and one who , took a keen interest in all matters affecting the district. The motion was carried the Aldermen standing in silence.

Sources

1. ↑ BDM QLD Birth registration: John O'May

   Birth date: 29/08/1867

   Mother's name: Mary Bennie

   Father/parent's name: James O'May

   Registration details: 1867/C/289

2. ↑ BDM QLD Marriage registration: Emily Louisa Syms

   Marriage date: 04/09/1889

   Spouse's name: John Omay

   Registration details: 1889/C/498

3. ↑ Marriage registration: John O'May

   Marriage date: 19/03/1902

   Spouse's name: Elizabeth McFarlane

   Registration details: 1902/C/606

4. ↑ BDM QLD Death registration: John O'May

   Death date: 09/08/1939

   Mother's name: Mary Bennie

   Father/parent's name: James

   Registration details: 1939/B/44802